'85 S10 pitfalls

[farmboy12]

Does anyone have anything bad to say about this age S10? We have one that we bought a few years ago for my mom to use to go get groceries through the woods but we no longer have that property so we can't cross it anymore. So it sat for a few years. We got it running yesterday with some fresh fuel and starting fluid. Dad said I could pretty much have it since he hardly fits in the thing anyway.

It is 4x4, 5 spd manual trans, regular cab, short bed, 2.7l v6. We never plan on tagging it and it would definitely never have it tagged if it could ever pass inspection with small fender rust-thrus anyway. There is a few problems. A small miss at idle (sounds like), pretty rough shift into first, but not terrible, very hard to change trasfer case, and I don't think 4x4 works. My dad said it popped out on him once and when I had it in the mud spinning today, I foung mud splattered on the rear fenders and that are, but not on the front. Don't plan on fixing these things.

Any other problems I should be made aware of, though? Thanks!


Kyle

 

[carpenter383]

Does anyone have anything bad to say about this age S10? We have one that we bought a few years ago for my mom to use to go get groceries through the woods but we no longer have that property so we can't cross it anymore. So it sat for a few years. We got it running yesterday with some fresh fuel and starting fluid. Dad said I could pretty much have it since he hardly fits in the thing anyway.

It is 4x4, 5 spd manual trans, regular cab, short bed, 2.7l v6. We never plan on tagging it and it would definitely never have it tagged if it could ever pass inspection with small fender rust-thrus anyway. There is a few problems. A small miss at idle (sounds like), pretty rough shift into first, but not terrible, very hard to change trasfer case, and I don't think 4x4 works. My dad said it popped out on him once and when I had it in the mud spinning today, I foung mud splattered on the rear fenders and that are, but not on the front. Don't plan on fixing these things.

Any other problems I should be made aware of, though? Thanks!
Kyle

The engine is a 2.8 lieter.
I would say it's not the most durable mud/woods buggy. But use some common sence when you're off the beaten path it may last a while. Watch the guages like a hawk!
It has a vulnerable 7.5 in ring gear and 26 spline axles so big tires or welded diffs are not a good idea.
Keep it in 4lo and the clutch will live alot longer.
The IFS axle shafts in the front aren't real stout so it's better not to turn sharp while using a heavy foot
Good luck and stay safe!

 

[Diamondpilot]

FREE. What could be wrong with that? Other than being a Chevy. Actually they are pretty good little trucks. The 4 cylinders were 85K engines then needed a top end overhaul but that V6 should run well over 100K without any major issues.

As for the 4x4 my neighbor had a Dodge that the 4 wheel drive did not work on. I with the help of his son pulled the transfer case and all that was wrong with it was a broken shift linkage lever. Not sure about the 85 but I had a 89 S-10 Blazzer and the shift linkage arm broke in it also. May want to check it out.

Chris

 

[carpenter383]

Make sure the vacuume line to the front axle is hooked up and in good shape.
Jack one wheel on front and one on back up off the ground and put the shifter in 4x4. (trans in neutral) Spin the rear wheel and see if the front driveshaft turns. This will tell you if the transfercase is engaging.

 

[radioman]

I consider anything before 90 s10 a money pitsfall. I had a 89 pickup with 2.8 engine with standard. The clutch been rebuilt several times. I noticed that with my engine it skips as well and i replaced the tbi and it didnt help along with a tuneup so it gotta be something else. If it runs, then use it on the farm. Otherwise, I wouldn't spend time on trying to fix it or run better- it just not worth the headache. If you don't need the 4 wheel drive and its not working right, why not remove the front wheel drive shaft and leave it in 4 lo. you get better towing power and less bumpy ride in feilds. The only modification I would do other then that is lock the rears since it will never see pavement. less prone to get stuck.

 

[RobertN]

A friend got a used S10 Blaser, about same year as the OP. 4WD did not work. It would go in low range, but no 4x4. The vacuum line to the front hub actuator was broken. I was able to manually engage the actuator, and wire tie it temporarily. Put a new vacuum hose on, and 4x4 worked fine.

FYI, for that year, the front locking hub actuator is on the right fender well. It will have a vacuum line going to one side, and a cable comes out of the other side. That cable goes down to the front axle for the internal locking hub.

FWIW, I had an 84 S20. The 2.8 was underpowered, but got good mileage. At the time, I had opportunity to use my bosses Toyota pickup; my S10 would seriously out hual that Toyota. It wheeled pretty good, but it did have low ground clearance. Mine had low mileage when I sold it to get a Jeep.

Make sure the vacuume line to the front axle is hooked up and in good shape.

 

[schmism]

one thing to note.

OF all the MVA's our FD responds to out hear in the country. about half are S10's of various age. Most late 80's to early 90's.

remember that the 85 has NO (and i mean none) of the safty features that is common to day.

The last major MVA we responded to was a late 80's S10 that the driver had slid off the road on a corner on wet pavement. Slamed into a 30" tree going 40mph. (i guess he was hualin past that toyota) completely crushed the cab around the guy. Took us about 35 min to cut him out with 2 sets of hydraulic tools. The guy lived (he was wereing his belt) but he will be handicapped the rest of his life.

my suggestion, keep it as a free farm truck and dont leave the property with it.

 

[farmboy12]

FREE. What could be wrong with that? Other than being a Chevy. Actually they are pretty good little trucks. The 4 cylinders were 85K engines then needed a top end overhaul but that V6 should run well over 100K without any major issues.

As for the 4x4 my neighbor had a Dodge that the 4 wheel drive did not work on. I with the help of his son pulled the transfer case and all that was wrong with it was a broken shift linkage lever. Not sure about the 85 but I had a 89 S-10 Blazzer and the shift linkage arm broke in it also. May want to check it out.

Chris

Thanks for the help and info from all of you. I actually do keep it in 4LO whenever I'm in the woods. I get up to 3rd and stay at about 20mph, and does fairly good with that.

And Chris, it actually has surpassed 100k by quite a lot. Runnin at over 260k right now.

Still, it's a nice little farm truck to get me started on getting used to driving on a regular basis other than tractors. While I have driven many vehicle meant for road use, I haven't had much chance to get in one more than once or twice a week. So, this is a little improvement for me. only time it cuts off is when I leave it at idle for the first 5 minutes after starting it up. Not bad for this 58 degree fall weather.


Kyle

 

[mattman]

I had a 84 with 2.8 engine. I will say that it was the cheapest truck to own I have ever seen. The little rascal would not quit. A starter was replaced at about 180,000. Orginal alternator, water pump . Only replaced things like belts hoses, spark plugs, wires, fuel pump.

I locked the motor up one time with a bunch od muddy water, pulled the plugs out spun the water out. Sprayed some starter fluid down the carb and away we went again. Had to change oil about three times to get all the water out.

The old s-10s were tough little trucks. Drive it like you stole it.

 

[saltbranch]

If I remember right the 1 I had was an 87...it was a 2.8 ltr/auto I know that for sure. It was 2wd ex cab that I put a flatbed on for hotshotting. I ran the wheels off that truck, bought it with 163k on it for 2000k. When I sold it to a mexico truck buyer for 1500.00 it had over 350k on it. That little v6 sucked for power, but it was tuff.